JOSEPH E. “SPUD” COLWELL

November 1, 2013

HUMBOLDT - Joseph E. "Spud" Colwell, 90, of Humboldt, passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2013. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Humboldt with Fr. Jim Tigges officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Humboldt with full military rites by Adams American Legion Post 119 and Sathers-Odgaard VFW Post 5240. Visitation with parish rosary and scripture service will be from 4-8 p.m. Saturday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.

Spud is survived by his children, Pat (Barb) Colwell of Humboldt, Mary Jo (Larry) Nelson of Woodward, Paul Colwell of Humboldt, Dick (Kathy) Colwell of Cedar Rapids, and Mike (Renee) Colwell of Iowa Falls; 15 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; his twin sister, Mary Evelyn McDonald of Chickamauga, GA; sisters, Patsy Powers of Duncombe, Jean Jennings of Humboldt, and Rosemary Denklau of Humboldt; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary in 2004; his infant son, William; grandson, Rob Nelson; father, Floyd and mother, Mary; stepmother, Velma; and sisters, Dorothy Reynolds and Lois Riles.

Joseph Earl Colwell, the son of Floyd and Mary (McCarvel) Colwell, was born September 20, 1923 at Ayrshire, Iowa. He received his education and graduated from Grant Township High School in 1941. Spud enlisted into the United States Navy and served until the end of the war in 1945. Following his honorable discharge, Spud returned home and went to work for Humboldt Concrete Products then began farming.

On February 4, 1950, he was united in marriage to Mary Katherine Sheehan at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Humboldt. They were happily married for 54 years and raised five wonderful children, Pat, Mary Jo, Paul, Dick, and Mike. Spud farmed with the Hart Brothers, Leonard, Clifford, and Willard until retiring in 1987. He then went to work for the Chantland Co. for 15 years.

Spud was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and in 2010, participated in the Honor Flight. He enjoyed his family, fishing trips to South Dakota with his sons, playing horse shoes, camping with Mary in their pickup camper, Hawkeye and Cyclone sports (depending on which son was home), his steak fry group, and fishing with his buddy Geno Ernst.